How to Get More Twitter & Facebook Followers and Fans

The most important part of using social networking successfully is to look at the name itself. Twitter and Facebook are both about being social and networking with others. As you attract more followers on Twitter and fans to your Facebook page, remember that quality is better than quantity. Using schemes to "get followers fast!" rarely results in attracting people who are genuinely interested in your message, products or services. It is better to have a 100 die-hard fans eager to hear what you have to say than a 100,000 people who ignore you.

Be yourself. Even if your goal is to sell a product or service, authenticity speaks volumes in social networking. Don't try to hide behind a corporate avatar. Get to know people and let them get to know you. Imagine Twitter and Facebook as a cocktail party. Be positive, optimistic, listen to others, and don't badger people with what you are selling.

Know your audience. Post content that your audience will love. Don't treat your Facebook fans and Twitter followers the same. People come to both websites for different reasons. For example, the same person may go to Twitter to find interesting information related to work, but go to Facebook to joke with friends and find distractions from work.

Post often. The more active you are on Facebook and Twitter, the more often people will see you. The more people see you, the more likely it is they will share your posts with others, by liking it on Facebook, or retweeting it on Twitter. The more people share your content, the more likely others are to find you, follow you, or become a raving fan on Facebook.

Get social bookmarks for both Twitter and Facebook for your website. Put Facebook and Twitter badges on your website as well, so that people who come to your website know you are on both these applications. Include Twitter and Facebook links in your email signatures, on advertising and business cards.

Let your Twitter followers know how to find you on Facebook. Tell your fans on Facebook where to find you on Twitter.

Join groups. Find groups on Facebook and Twitter with interests similar to yours. Get to know these people and interact with them. There are groups for entrepreneurs, screen writers, bloggers, artists, speakers, stay at home moms, single dads, and countless others. If there are no popular groups in your area of expertise already, consider starting your own.